Boomshakalaka! Fini Pizza (620 Atlantic Avenue) which opened its original location in Williamsburg last year, has a brand new offshoot at (but not “inside”) Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn. The shop overlooks the large and underutilized plaza by the arena’s main entrance in a space that was formerly a Starbucks. Might it be the best pizza in the country being served out of an arena? Possibly. Should it be an essential stop on your way into a Nets game this season? Definitely.
What’s Unique? Fini Pizza’s second Brooklyn location is attached to the Barclays Center. But because you don’t need a ticket to enter the storefront, it’s convenient for fans attending a game or concert, and residents in the neighborhood (they have a wide delivery zone, which is basically runs from 9th Street in Park Slope up to the Brooklyn Navy Yard).
The shop also overlooks the practice courts for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. Although curtains are usually pulled down while practice is in session, the courts aren’t fully obstructed so you might be able to sneak a peek at Ben Simmons or Breanna Stewart (who was partaking in a Liberty practice on a recent afternoon I was there).
What To Eat? Fini has five round pies and two square pies on its menu, each which is also available by the slice. Fortunately, everything is reasonably priced (and by “reasonably,” I mean not prices you’d typically see inside of an arena) with slices averaging about $5.00. The most unique round pie is the “Long Hot Shallot” which I highly recommend, although you really can’t go wrong with any of the options. In a matchup between the “Tomato” and “Grandma” Sicilian pies, I prefer the Grandma which comes topped with chunky tomatoes and basil.
What To Know Before You Go? Obviously, if you are hoping to grab a slice when an event is starting or ending, the wait might be long. The space itself is narrow, so the only indoor seats are bar stools along the window. On nice days, they put tables and chair in the plaza out front. Everything is branded in their signature green color including Fini basketballs, which they actually sell… for $65 each.
Review Overview
Overall Experience - 8
8
Summary : Dribble your way over to the new location of Fini's for tasty slices and pies @ Barclays Center